When to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

Being charged with a crime is one of the worst experiences that can happen to a person and it can affect everything from your personal life to your family and business dealings. Hiring the right criminal defense attorney can make the experience less intimidating and stressful. Good people make mistakes but when you hire a criminal defense attorney that fits you and your case needs, your mistakes won’t haunt you for the rest of your life.

When is the Right Time to Bring in an Attorney?

You may feel like holding off on calling a lawyer until you are charged or arraigned. There could be consequences to waiting too long to hire the right criminal defense attorney because you will need some guidance. In short, you need an attorney right away and you should not speak to any law enforcement individual until your lawyer is present. While that may not seem practical and you likely can’t call a lawyer from the back seat of a police vehicle, we recommend reaching out to a criminal defense attorney as quickly as you can once you are released.

Timing is crucial because negotiations on charges and bargains on your rights begin immediately after you are arrested. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney with you to act as a mediator will help things go more smoothly and it can help keep you from accidentally incriminating yourself.

If you are being accused of a crime but have not been charged yet, call a criminal defense lawyer immediately. If you don’t know who to call, ask someone you trust to help you find the right defense attorney.

Before You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

When you’re shopping for a lawyer, you might feel inundated with options. Whatever you do, do not shut down and try to represent yourself. We have a few tips to help you learn what to look for to ensure you hire the right attorney.

1. Work with a Trustworthy Criminal Defense Attorney: read their reviews on Avvo, Google, and other legal platforms. Pay attention to how people describe their interactions with the attorney. When you start reading positive reviews with specific mentions on how easy it was to work with the attorney and how the lawyer made a client feel – it’s easy to figure out that they are trustworthy.
2. Great Criminal Defense Lawyers are Transparent: when you call an attorney, you can tell quickly how communicative and transparent they will be. If an attorney starts off a conversation with “trust me” or “I’m the expert” – call another lawyer. But when they listen to you and your story, explain clear next steps, and offer an easy way to reach them – you likely have a winner.
3. Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys will Investigate: when you’re facing criminal charges like a DUI or OWI, assault, or sex crimes, you want an attorney who is going to dig through the charges and investigate what really happened. The more information they learn, the more prepared an attorney will be to properly represent you. If an attorney tries to plea out the charges immediately, they don’t have your best interests in mind. 

Who Should You Call to Help with Criminal Charges in Michigan?

While there are many criminal defense attorneys in the Metro-Detroit area, some specialize in alcohol-related crimes like DUI charges or drug-related crimes while others may specialize in white-collar crimes. Check their websites to see what they specialize in before you call. 
Check to see how long they have been fighting for their clients. For instance, at the Schwartz Law Group, Attorney Steven L. Schwartz has been advocating for his clients across Metro-Detroit for over 30 years. Don’t feel scared or embarrassed when you decide to discuss the details of your case because an experienced criminal defense attorney has a history of handling criminal charges at all severity levels.

When you’re ready to speak about your case and discuss the details of your situation with an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, call 248-930-5019 to schedule a consultation.